Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-05-19
SANTA ANA'S FRIEND.
He Was an American Patriot, and He Render
ed Great Service to His Country.
San Francisco Call

He Was an American Patriot, and He Render
ed Great Service to His Country.
San Francisco Call
There is always in every village. town
or hamlet what may be termed ''noted
character noted for some peculiar craze
or eccentIicity. Stockton in 1858 was not
exempt from this individual. His name
was William Walls, but for short was
always called BILLY" Billy was the prince
of romancers. He was the most consum-
mate liar 1 ever knew. He could take the
most sickly, triffing little lie and build it
build it until it lowered like a noun
tain-and besides he was always the her o
of his own stories. ] must here digress a
little in order to make the reader better
acquainted with the subject of my sketch
1t was a CUSTOM of the country at that
time (1S55) to always fire gun on the
departure of e. citizen to the Atlantic
states. Billy was custodian of the city
cannon. and always loaded and fired it
on such occasions. His fee for one gun
was $50, for two guns $40, but if the man
wanted particularly good send-of- say
three guns-the price was a fifty dollar
slug. So as week seldom passed with
out someone 'going home" It was good
thing for Billy, besides it kept up his
pride and military spirit. He was the
"big Injun" in the noble science of ar
tillery.
Meeting him on day he said to NE
''Mr. B., 1 want to give you little of my
experience in the Mexican war. Billy
claimed to have had personal acquaint-
ance with Santa Ana, the Mexican gener-
al. They had known each other previous
to the war. In fact, they were friends
bosom friends. Not the summer-day
friends of nowaday, but-like the tabled
Damon and Pythias who were
willing to lay down their lives for each
other. So, seating ourselves upon a
neighboring pile of lumber, 1 said:
'Wen Billy proceed; will listen"
cit was just after the battle of Buena
Vista" he began, ''a large force of the
American army of which I was one) had
fallen back some fifty miles from the
battle ground to head off reinforcements
to the Mexican general. 1t was beauti-
full moonlight night, and I shall never
forget how unlike was the moon to my
self-it was full, while had not single
drop in my canteen. But this is digres
sion. Although quite severely wounded
able night. My beat lay straight across
the great rational road through Mexico
and the nearest sentry to me on either
side was at least three-fourths of a mile
A true soldier however, knows no fear
It was my habit, too, when doing any
| duty, always to commune with myself
It relieved the dull monotony of continu
al pacing back and forth. Besides, the
n cd
/ was reviewing the terrible scenes OF
two days before, and just as was calling
| up the uncertainties of war, pomp, the
glory, and majesty of the world. and the
insignifcance of the whole Mexican race
[ heard the low rumble of an approach
ing train. It is singular fact, that in
the pure, clear atmosphere of Mexico
and on still night train of wagons
can be heard when fifteen miles away
1t is a peculiar sound-a metallic ring
| in the box or hub of the wheels. Gradu,
ally the sound increased, but it was tive
| hours at least before the train came up
| 1t consisted of, first, a closed carriage
drawn by richly oaparis0ne6 horses, and
surrounded on all sides by a mounted
body-guard, followed by sundry Other
carriages and an endless string of wagons
suppose, Mr.. B.? It was Santa Ana, the
| Mexican general. I waited until the
| head of the train was within one hundred
feet of me, when gave the command to
halt. The whole train instantly came tC
a standst1ll. Immediately head ap-
peared from out the first carriage. II
was that of the general. He had heard
my command and instantly knew nv
fhcto 10 Of
years had taken place. His first exclama
ton was: Hello! Billy; is that you?'
answered: Yes, Santa; it is me- for ]
was not behind him in instant recocni
ton. well, Billy said he, there is nc
use Disgusting anything from yon. We
are whipped. The Americans have clean
ed Us out and we are fleeing for our lives
Now, on the score of old acquain lance
on the score of more than fifteen years
friendship, implore you to let US pass.
PlaciEg my musket more firmly to my
breast, answered No, Santa, can not
do 1t-you ask too much
"For moment he seemed paralyzed
then, taking heart, he again pleaded:
"'Comrade Billy, you have a mother
you have sister. For the sake of that
mother, for the love of that sainted sister
Martha, do not desert me now. Turn
yoEr eyes and look at that ponderous
wagon with the twelve mules attached
1t contains $4,000 silver dollars. Let
US pass, and it is yours-wagon, mules
harness and all.
Brushing away tear and looking him
squarely IN the eye, said:
"'Do you see that proud emblem of
liberty floating from yonder towering
staff?n
eyes; see it, said he.
"'Well, Santa said that is the Ameri-
can flag, and [ can't disgrace it,"
considerable silence ensued. Look
ing around, I saw his chin had fallen up
on his bosom-overcome by his own feel
irgs. Giving him gentle jog, asked:
swell, what became of the Mexicans
What did they do them"
His answer came quick and sharp:
N1of JiI 10 10